Group under fire for McConnell tweets also faces FEC questions

The super PAC under fire for posting racist tweets about Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s wife failed to disclose its December fundraising numbers and received a warning notice from the Federal Election Commission.

Progress Kentucky, which was formed in December to oppose McConnell, received a letter from the FEC Feb. 19 asking for the super PAC to disclose its donors and expenditures.

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The group was required to file its fundraising reports by Jan. 31.

“The failure to timely file a complete report may result in civil money penalties, an audit or legal enforcement action,” the letter states. “The civil money penalty calculation for late reports does not include a grace period and begins on the day following the due date for the report.”

Shawn Reilly, executive director of the super PAC, told POLITICO in an email that Progress Kentucky has sent its report via regular mail since receiving the letter. In its letter, the FEC also recommended that the group send their reports via overnight delivery or courier service to avoid further delays in disclosing information.

“Progress Kentucky has been in close communication and cooperation with the Federal Election Commission,” Reilly said. “The annual 2012 report has been filed and we assume that the FEC will post it as they always do.”

The December fundraising reports will be the first look at the group’s fundraising efforts.

The tweets, first reported by radio station WFPL, were posted Feb 14 through the super PAC’s account. Linking to a site that attacked McConnell’s wife, Elaine Chao, the super PAC tweeted: “This woman has the ear of (Sen. McConnell)-she’s his wife. May explain why your job moved to China!”

Actress Ashley Judd, who is considering running against McConnell, distanced herself from the super PAC. She tweeted Tuesday evening: “Whatever the intention, whatever the venue, whomever the person, attacks or comments on anyone’s ethnicity are wrong & patently unacceptable.”